Ground-covering apparatus

ABSTRACT

Ground-covering apparatus, e.g., for covering a ground surface around fixtures and fences and/or for protecting a lower portions of fixtures.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/151,777 filed 11 Feb. 2009, entitled “POST GUARDS AND FENCEGUARDS,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates generally to ground-covering apparatussuch as post guards and fence guards, e.g., for protecting fence postsand for preventing vegetation growth.

In one embodiment of a post guard for use in protecting posts of varyingsizes, the post guard includes four post guard portions. Each post guardportion is configured to cover at least a portion of a corner of a post.Further, the four post guard portions are configured to be positionedtogether to define an opening for a post to extend therethrough. Stillfurther, each post guard portion of the four post guard portionsincludes a vertical member and a flanged member. The vertical memberextends from a lower edge to an upper edge and includes a first sectionand a second section. The first and second sections include a postcontacting surface extending from a first side edge of the first sectionto a second side edge of the second section defining a portion of theopening. Further, the first section is perpendicular to the secondsection thereby forming a corner corresponding to a corner of the post.The flanged member includes a ground contacting surface, a distal edge,a first edge corresponding to the first side edge of the first sectionof the vertical member, and a second edge corresponding to the secondside edge of the second section of the vertical member (e.g., theflanged member may extend from the lower edge of the vertical member tothe distal edge between the first edge and the second edge). Each postguard portion includes a first vertical interface region of the firstsection proximate the first side edge thereof and a second verticalinterface region of the second section proximate the second side edgethereof. Further, each post guard portion includes a first flangeinterface region of the flanged member proximate the first edge thereofand a second flange interface region of the flanged member proximate thesecond edge thereof. Still further, the first interface regions of eachpost guard portion of the four post guard portions interfaces with thesecond interface regions of a different post guard portion of the fourpost guard portions when the four post guard portions are positionedtogether. The four post guard portions are positionable together in aconfiguration between a closed configuration and an expandedconfiguration. The four post guard portions are positioned together suchthat the first interface regions are completely interfaced with thesecond interface regions when in the first closed configuration and thefour post guard portions are positioned together such that the firstinterface regions are located further away from the second interfaceregions when in the second expanded configuration than when in the firstclosed configuration. Further, the first interface regions at leastpartially contact the second interface regions when in the expandedconfiguration.

In one embodiment of a fence guard, the fence guard includes a fenceguard body and an interface region. The fence guard body extends from afirst end to a second end and defines a first surface and a secondsurface opposite the first surface. The interface region is located atthe first end of the fence guard body for interfacing with anotherinterface region of another fence guard.

In one embodiment of a U-channel post guard, the post guard is for usein covering a ground surface around a U-channel post (e.g., a U-channelpost including a channel side and a non-channel side opposite thechannel side, and further defining a channel along a length of thechannel side of the U-channel post). The U-channel post guard includes afirst portion configured to contact the channel side of the U-channelpost and a second portion configured to contact the non-channel side ofthe U-channel post. Further, the first and second portions areconfigured to be positioned together to define an opening for theU-channel post to extend therethrough. Each of the first and the secondportions includes a vertical member and a flanged member. The verticalmember extends from a lower edge to an upper edge and includes a postcontacting surface extending from a first side edge to a second sideedge defining a portion of the opening. The flanged member may include aground contacting surface, a distal edge (e.g., the flanged member mayextend from the lower edge of the vertical member to the distal edge), afirst edge corresponding to the first side edge of the vertical member,and a second edge corresponding to the second side edge of the verticalmember. Further, each of the first and second portions includes a firstflange interface region of the flanged member proximate the first edgethereof and a second flange interface region of the flanged memberproximate the second edge thereof. The first interface region of thefirst portion interfaces with the second interface region of the secondportion and the second interface region of the first portion interfaceswith the first interface region of the second portion when the first andsecond portions are positioned together. Further, the first and thesecond portions are positionable together such that the vertical memberof the first portion is located within the channel of the U-channelpost.

In one embodiment of a ground-covering apparatus portion, theground-covering apparatus portion is for use with one or more additionalground-covering apparatus portions in covering a ground surface aroundfixtures of varying sizes. The ground-covering apparatus portionincludes a vertical member and a flanged member. The vertical memberextends from a lower edge to an upper edge and includes a first sectionand a second section. The first and second sections include afixture-contacting surface extending from a first side edge of the firstsection to a second side edge of the second section and the firstsection is perpendicular to the second section thereby forming a cornercorresponding to a corner of a fixture. The vertical member furtherincludes a first vertical interface region of the first sectionproximate the first side edge thereof and a second vertical interfaceregion of the second section proximate the second side edge thereof Theflanged member includes a ground contacting surface, a distal edge, afirst edge corresponding to the first side edge of the first section,and a second edge corresponding to the second side edge of the secondsection. The flanged member further includes a first flange interfaceregion proximate the first edge thereof and a second flange interfaceregion proximate the second edge thereof The first interface regions ofthe ground-covering apparatus portion are interfaceable (e.g., capableof being interfaced) with the second interface regions of one of the oneor more additional ground-covering apparatus portions and the secondinterface regions of the ground-covering apparatus portion areinterfaceable with the first interface regions of one of the one or moreadditional ground-covering apparatus portions. In at least oneembodiment, the vertical member is perpendicular to the flanged member.Further, in at least one embodiment, the vertical member isperpendicular to the flanged member, the first section of the verticalmember defines a length from the first side edge to the second sectionof the vertical member, the second section of the vertical memberdefines a length from the second side edge to the first section of thevertical member, and the length of the first section is longer than thelength of the second section.

The above summary is not intended to describe each embodiment or everyimplementation of the present disclosure. A more complete understandingwill become apparent and appreciated by referring to the followingdetailed description and claims taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary post guard portion.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary post guard fanned withmultiple post guard portions (e.g., the post guard portion of FIG. 1).

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the post guard of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is partial plan view of the post guard of FIG. 2 in an expandedconfiguration.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the post guard of FIG. 2 in an expandedconfiguration.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another exemplary post guard.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of still another exemplary post guardformed with multiple post guard portions.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the post guard of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the post guard of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of yet still another exemplary post guardformed with multiple post guard portions.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the post guard of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the post guard of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another exemplary post guard portion(e.g., for use in forming the post guard of FIG. 10).

FIG. 14 is a top view of the post guard portion of FIG. 13.

FIGS. 15-16 are side views of the post guard portion of FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an exemplary first portion of aU-channel post guard.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an exemplary second portion of aU-channel post guard.

FIG. 19 is a top view of the first and second portions of FIGS. 17-18,respectively, to be positioned around a U-channel post to form anexemplary U-channel post guard.

FIG. 20 is a side view of an exemplary ground-covering apparatus.

FIG. 21 is a plan view of the ground-covering apparatus in a differentconfiguration than shown in FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an exemplary ground-covering apparatusportion (e.g., for use in forming the ground-covering apparatus of FIG.20) located adjacent a gravestone.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an exemplary fence guard.

FIG. 24 is a plan view of the fence guard of FIG. 7.

FIG. 25 is an end view of the fence guard of FIG. 7.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of yet still another exemplary post guard.

FIG. 27 is a top view of the post guard of FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of yet still another exemplary post guard.

FIG. 29 is a top view of the post guard of FIG. 28.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying figures of the drawing which forma part hereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specificembodiments which may be practiced. It is to be understood that otherembodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made withoutdeparting from (e.g., still falling within) the scope of the disclosurepresented hereby.

Exemplary apparatus shall be described with reference to FIGS. 1-29. Itwill be apparent to one skilled in the art that elements from oneembodiment may be used in combination with elements of the otherembodiments, and that the possible embodiments of such apparatus usingcombinations of features set forth herein is not limited to the specificembodiments shown in the Figures and/or described herein. Further, itwill be recognized that the embodiments described herein may includemany elements that are not necessarily shown to scale. Still further, itwill be recognized that the size and shape of various elements hereinmay be modified but still fall within the scope of the presentdisclosure, although one or more shapes and/or sizes, or types ofelements, may be advantageous over others.

The post guard described herein may be used to protect posts of varyingsizes. The post guard 100 depicted in FIGS. 1-5 includes four post guardportions 10. In one or more other embodiments, the post guard 100 mayinclude more or less than four post guard portions 10, e.g., a singlepost guard portion or eight post guard portions. For example, the postguard 60 depicted in FIG. 6 includes a single integral portion. Further,for example, the post guard may include two portions sectioneddiagonally (FIGS. 26-27) or sectioned forming two U-shaped portions(e.g., of equal size or not of equal size) (FIGS. 28-29).

In one or more embodiments, the post guard may be configured to protecta post having no corners, e.g., a circular post, a post having more thanfour surfaces, e.g., an octagonal post, or a U-channel post (e.g., apost having a U-shaped cross-section and defining a channel along alength thereof). Further, in one or more embodiments, the post guard maybe configured to protect a post having uneven corners (e.g., asplit-rail fence) using, e.g., foam material between the post guard andthe post. The post guard may be formed of many materials including,e.g., polymers, vinyl, metals, etc.

Each post guard portion 10 may be configured to cover at least a portionof a corner of a post 16 and the four post guard portions may beconfigured to be positioned together to define an opening 12 for a post16 to extend therethrough. A post guard portion 10 is shown in FIG. 1including a flanged member 20 and a vertical member 30. The flangedmember 20 may be coupled to the vertical member 30 or may be integral,e.g., a single solid piece.

The vertical member 30 extends from a lower edge 32 to an upper edge 34and includes a first section 36 and a second section 38. As shown inFIG. 3, the first and second sections 36, 38 include a post-contactingsurface 35 extending from a first side edge 37 of the first section 36to a second side edge 39 of the second section 38 defining a portion ofthe opening 12. In one or more embodiments, the first section 36 of thevertical member 30 is perpendicular to the second section 38 therebyforming a corner corresponding to a corner of the post 16. The verticalmember 30 may have a length from the lower edge 32 to the upper edge 34that is about 1 inch to about 10 inches (e.g., 3 inches).

The flanged member 20 includes a ground contacting surface 24 (FIG. 5),a distal edge 22, a first edge 26 corresponding to the first side edge37 of the first section 36 of the vertical member 30, and a second edge28 corresponding to the second side edge 39 of the second section 38 ofthe vertical member 30 (e.g., the flanged member 20 may be described asextending from the lower edge 32 of the vertical member 30 to the distaledge 22, the first edge 26, and the second edge 28). In other words, theflanged member 20 may be defined by one or more edges, including thedistal edge 22, first edge 26, and second edge 28, extending around theperimeter of the flanged member 20. In one or more embodiments, theground contacting surface 24 may have a honeycomb pattern. Although theflanged member 20 as shown is flat or parallel to the ground surface,the flanged member 20 may not be parallel the ground surface. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 10-16, the flanged member of the post guardportions may be slanted, non-perpendicular to the vertical member. Inother words, the flanged member of the post guard portions may form anobtuse angle with the vertical member. Further, for example, the flangedmember may curve away from the vertical member (e.g., the flanged membermay be curved). The flanged member 20 may have a length from the loweredge 32 of the vertical member 30 to the distal edge 22 that is about 1inch to about 10 inches (e.g., 3 inches).

In the depicted embodiments, the corners of the flanged member 20 arerounded. In one or more embodiments, however, the corners of the flangedmember 20 may have multiple shapes and configurations, e.g., squaredoff, angled, etc.

The post guard portion 10 further includes a first vertical interfaceregion 40 of the first section 36 proximate the first side edge 37thereof (e.g., in other words, the first section 36 includes a firstvertical interface region 40) and a second vertical interface region 42of the second section 38 proximate the second side edge 39 thereof(e.g., in other words, the second section 38 includes a first verticalinterface region 42). Also, the post guard portion 10 further includes afirst flange interface region 44 of the flanged member 20 proximate thefirst edge 26 thereof (e.g., in other words, the flanged member 20includes a first flange interface region 44) and a second flangeinterface 46 region of the flanged member 20 proximate the second edge28 thereof (e.g., in other words, the flanged member 20 includes asecond flange interface region 46). The first interface regions 44 ofeach post guard portion of the four post guard portions may beinterfaced with the second interface regions 46 of a different postguard portion 10 of the four post guard portions when the four postguard portions 10 are positioned together to, e.g., form the opening 12for the post 16.

The interface regions may be any interface to provide coverage of thepost and/or ground surfaces while being able to expand and contract tothe configurations described herein. In one or more embodiments, theinterface regions may be half-lap joints (e.g., each interface regionmay be a part or ½ of the half-lap joint). Further, in one or moreembodiments, the interface regions may have graduated thicknesses thatare stepped such that the overlap provides a secure and congruous joint.

The four post guard portions 10 are positionable together in aconfiguration between (and including) a closed configuration (FIGS. 2-3)and an expanded configuration (FIGS. 4-5) to, e.g., allow the post guard100 to fit around multiple sizes of posts. The four post guard portions10 are positioned together such that the first interface regions 40, 44are completely interfaced with the second interface regions 42, 46,respectively, when in the first closed configuration (FIG. 3). As usedherein, “completely interfaced” means that the first interface regions40, 44 are in contact with the second interface regions 42, 46 as closeas possible, e.g., they may not be in further contact without destroyingthe post guard portions 10.

The four post guard portions 10 are positioned together such that thefirst interface regions 40, 44 are located further away from the secondinterface regions 42, 46 when in the second expanded configuration (FIG.4) than when in the first closed configuration (FIG. 3). In such secondexpanded configuration, the opening 12 is larger (FIGS. 4-5) than whenin the first closed configuration (FIG. 3). Further, the first interfaceregions 40, 44 at least partially contact the second interface regions42, 46 when in the expanded configuration (FIG. 4) to, e.g., form acontinuous body.

The post guard 100 may be sized such that in the first closedconfiguration the post guard opening 12 is about 3 inches by about 3inches (to, e.g., fit around posts of that size) and in the secondexpanded configuration the post guard opening 12 is about 6 inches byabout 6 inches. In another embodiment, the post guard 100 may be sizedsuch that in the first closed configuration the post guard opening 12 isabout 6 inches by about 6 inches and in the second expandedconfiguration the post guard opening 12 is about 12 inches by about 12inches. Further, the post guard 100 is adjustable such that the opening12 may be any size between the first closed configuration and the secondexpanded configuration to, e.g., be adjusted to fit posts having a rangeof sizes.

In one or more embodiments, the vertical member 30 is perpendicular tothe flanged member 20. Further, in one or more embodiments, each flangedmember 20 of the four post guard portions 10 defines a length from thedistal edge 22 to the lower edge 32 of the vertical member 30, eachvertical member 30 of the four post guard portions 10 defines a lengthfrom the lower edge 32 to the upper edge 34, and the length of eachflanged member 20 and the length of each vertical member 30 aresubstantially the same or the length of each flanged member 20 isshorter and/or longer than the length of each vertical member 30. Stillfurther, in one or more embodiments, each vertical member 30 of the fourpost guard portions 10 defines an aperture/opening 14 for a fastener(e.g., a wood screw or nail) to extend therethrough to, e.g., couple thepost guard portion 10 to a post.

Two additional exemplary post guards 200, 300 are depicted in FIGS. 7-9and FIGS. 10-12, respectively. Post guard 200 may be substantiallysimilar to the post guard 100 described herein with reference to FIGS.1-5, and as such, will not be further described herein.

Post guard 300 is also similar to the post guard 100 described hereinwith reference to FIGS. 1-5. Post guard 300, however, includes alower-profile vertical member 330 (e.g., the height of the verticalmember 330 is less than the length of the flanged member 320) and aslanted flanged member 320 extending from the lower edge 332 of thevertical member 330. Further, the angle alpha (FIG. 12) between thevertical member 330 and the flanged member 320 is about 100 degrees. Inother embodiments, the angle alpha between the vertical member 330 andthe flanged member 320 may be about 90 degrees to about 125 degrees.Because the slanted flanged member 320 is slanted, the ground-contactingsurface of the flanged member 320 may not be parallel to a substantiallyflat ground surface. In other words, only a portion of theground-contacting surface (e.g., around the outside) of the slantedflanged member 320 may contact a ground surface.

A post guard portion 310 that is used to form the post guard 300 isdepicted in FIGS. 13-16. The post guard portion 310 further includessupport features 312, e.g., to provide support to the vertical member330.

Perspective views of a first portion 402 and a second portion 404 of anexemplary U-channel post guard 400 are depicted in FIGS. 17 & 18,respectively, and a top view of the first portion 402 and second portion404 of the U-channel post guard 400 being positioned around a U-channelpost 410 is depicted in FIG. 19. The U-channel post guard 400 ispositionable around a U-channel post 410 for use in covering a groundsurface around a U-channel post 410, e.g., to prevent vegetation growthunderneath the U-channel post guard. U-channel post 410 may be anystandard U-channel post having a U-shaped cross-section and defining achannel (i.e., the inside of the “U”) along the length thereof such asthe U-channel posts used by many municipalities for traffic signs (e.g.,stops signs).

The first portion 402 is configured to contact the channel side 412 ofthe U-channel post 410 and the second portion 404 is configured tocontact the non-channel side 414 of the U-channel post 410 as shown inFIG. 19. Further, the first and second portions 402, 404 are configuredto be positioned together to define an opening for the U-channel post410 to extend therethrough.

Although the first and second portions 402, 404 are not identical, bothshare similar features. For example, each of the first and the secondportions 402, 404 includes a vertical member 430 and a flanged member420. The vertical member 430 extends from a lower edge 432 to an upperedge 434 and includes a post contacting surface 435 extending from afirst side edge 436 to a second side edge 438, e.g., defining a portionof the opening when the first and second portions 402, 404 arepositioned together.

The flanged member 420 includes a ground-contacting surface, a distaledge 422, a first edge 426 corresponding to the first side edge 436 ofthe vertical member 430, and a second edge 428 corresponding to thesecond side edge 438 of the vertical member 430 (e.g., the flangedmember 420 may be described as extending from the lower edge 432 of thevertical member 430 to the distal edge 422 between the first edge 426and the second edge 428).

Further, each of the first and second portions 402, 404 (e.g., theflanged members 420 of the first and second portions 402, 404) includesa first flange interface region 444 of the flanged member 420 proximatethe first edge 426 thereof and a second flange interface region 446 ofthe flanged member 420 proximate the second edge 428 thereof. The firstinterface region 444 of the first portion 402 interfaces with the secondinterface region 446 of the second portion 404 and the second interfaceregion 446 of the first portion 402 interfaces with the first interfaceregion 444 of the second portion 404 when the first and second portions402, 404 are positioned together (FIG. 19). The interface regions 444,446 may be substantially similar to the interface regions 44, 46 of thepost guard portion 10 as described herein with reference to FIGS. 1-5,and as such, will not be further described herein.

The first portion 402 of the U-channel post guard 400 is configureddifferently than the second portion 404 in that the vertical member 430is in a different position in the first portion 402 than the secondportion 404. For example, the vertical member 430 of the first portion402 is configured to contact the channel side 412 of the U-channel post410 (e.g., a surface located within the channel of the U-channel post410) while the vertical member 430 of the second portion 404 isconfigured to contact the non-channel side 414 of the U-channel post 410as shown in FIG. 19. Further, the flanged member 420 of the firstportion 402 includes an extension member 440 that positions the verticalmember 430 within the channel of the U-channel post 410 and defines sideslots 441 for receiving side portions of the U-channel post 410. Asshown, the extension member 440 is tapered, e.g., to conform to theinside of the channel of the U-channel post and to locate the postcontacting surface 435 adjacent a surface in the channel of theU-channel post. In one or more embodiments, the extension member 440 maybe smaller (e.g., the extension member 440 may taper at a greater angle)than the channel of the U-channel post to, e.g., allow some “play”within in the channel of the U-channel post for further adjustability.Still further, the flanged member 420 of the second portion 404 definesa center slot 442 for receiving the U-channel post 410.

Each vertical member 430 of the first and second portions 402, 404defines an aperture 405 for a fastener to extend therethrough (e.g., andfurther through an aperture in the U-channel post). As shown theaperture 405 is a slot, e.g., to allow for adjustability.

A ground-covering apparatus 500 is depicted in FIGS. 20-21 and aground-covering apparatus portion 510 is depicted in FIG. 22. Theground-covering apparatus 500 may be substantially similar to the postguards described herein but adapted to be used with various fixtureslocated on or in the ground, e.g., a gravestone, an electrical box, acable box, fire hydrant, concrete-slab, a post, a foundation, etc. Assuch, the post guards described herein may be considered to be anexample of ground-covering apparatus. For example, each ground-coveringapparatus portion 510 of the ground-covering apparatus 500 includes aflanged member 520 and a vertical member 530.

Further, the ground-covering apparatus 500 may be used in at least twoconfigurations. In a first configuration (as shown in FIG. 22 using asingle ground-covering apparatus portion 510), the ground-coveringapparatus 500 may be positioned around a fixture (e.g., a gravestone)such that the vertical member 530 extends upwardly from the groundsurface to, e.g., protect a lower portion of the fixture (e.g., agravestone). In a second configuration (as oriented in FIG. 20), theground-covering apparatus 500 may be positioned around a fixture (e.g.,a gravestone) such that the vertical member 530 extends downwardly intothe ground (e.g., the ground-covering apparatus 500 may be insertedand/or forced into the ground).

Still further, the ground-covering apparatus 500 may have specificdimensions, e.g., such that the ground-covering apparatus may be massproduced for use with a plurality of uniformly sized fixtures (e.g.,gravestones at a national cemetery). For example, the opening defined bythe ground-covering apparatus may have a length 512 of about 13 inchesand a width 513 of about 4 inches (e.g., to fit around a gravestone),and the vertical member 530 may have a length 514 of about 2 inches.

In at least one embodiment, the ground-covering apparatus 500 mayfurther include elongated extensions that do not include a first sectionand a second section of the vertical member oriented perpendicularly.Instead, the elongated extensions may include straight elongatedvertical and flanged members for spanning long straight surfaces offixtures. Further, the elongated extensions may further includeinterfaces regions for interfacing with the interface regions ofground-covering apparatus portions.

A fence guard 50 is shown in FIGS. 23-25. The fence guard 50 may belocated beneath a fence to cover a ground surface to, e.g., preventvegetation growth underneath the fence. The fence guard 50 includes afence guard body 52 extending from a first end 54 to a second end 55 anddefining a first surface 56 and a second surface opposite the firstsurface 56. The fence guard 50 further includes an interface region 58located at the first end 54 of the fence guard body 52 for interfacingwith another interface region of another fence guard to, e.g., joinmultiple fence guards together to extend the effective length of thefence guard. The second end 55 of the fence guard body 52 may besubstantially flat to, e.g., join with another fence guard or to abut aflat surface (e.g., a wall). In one or more embodiments, the fence guard50 includes an interface region 58 located at both ends of the fenceguard 50. Further, in one or more embodiments, each end of the fenceguard body 52 may be substantially flat.

In one or more embodiments, the fence guard 50 includes at least onestability structure (e.g., two V-shaped stability structures 61 as shownin FIGS. 23-25, a squared U-shaped stability structure, etc.). As shown,the fence guard body 52 includes three sections: a center section 64defining a plane; a first side section 62 coupled to the center section64 (e.g., a V-shaped stability structure 61 may be located at thecoupling between the first side section 62 and the center section 64);and a second side section 66 coupled to the center section 64 (e.g., aV-shaped stability structure 61 may be located at the coupling betweenthe second side section 66 and the center section 64). In otherembodiments, the fence guard 50 may include more or less than threesections. The first side section 62 and the second side section 62, asdepicted in FIG. 25, do not lie in the plane defined by the centersection 64.

As shown in FIG. 23 each interface region 58 includes an opening 59 forreceiving a post 16. Further, the fence guard body 52 may define atleast one opening 63 for a stake 53 to extend therethrough to, e.g.,secure the fence guard to a ground surface 11. In one or moreembodiments, the fence guard body 52 may not define openings 63 forstakes 53 but rather be configured such that stakes 53 may be driventhrough the fence guard body 52 into a ground surface 11.

In one or more embodiments, the fence guard may be secured to the groundsurface at diagonally opposed positions along the length of the guardwith unique stakes. The unique stakes may feature graduating angles ofwinged blades to, e.g., provide a firm connection between the fenceguard and the ground surface. In one embodiment, the fence guard isabout 94 inches in length and 10.75 inches in width, which, e.g., mayaccommodate many standard wood and vinyl fences and post dimensions. Inone or more embodiments, the fence guard may have any length and/orwidth to accommodate fences having various sizes.

Further, the post guards and fence guards described herein may be manydifferent colors, e.g., dull hunter green, white, brown, etc.

In one or more embodiments, the fence guards and/or post guards mayinclude a series of special “keys” that may connect with additionalstructures of the fences guards and/or post guards (e.g., the stabilitystructures). For example, such “keys” may be used in a “key and lock”connection at either end of the fence guards.

Any features, components, and/or properties of any of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be incorporated into any other embodiment(s)described herein.

All patents, patent documents, and references cited herein areincorporated in their entirety as if each were incorporated separately.This disclosure has been provided with reference to illustrativeembodiments and is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Asdescribed previously, one skilled in the art will recognize that othervarious illustrative applications may use the techniques as describedherein to take advantage of the beneficial characteristics of theapparatus and methods described herein. Various modifications of theillustrative embodiments, as well as additional embodiments of thedisclosure, will be apparent upon reference to this description.

1. A post guard for use in protecting posts of varying sizes, whereinthe post guard comprises four post guard portions, wherein each postguard portion is configured to cover at least a portion of a corner of apost, wherein the four post guard portions are configured to bepositioned together to define an opening for a post to extendtherethrough, and further wherein each post guard portion of the fourpost guard portions comprises: a vertical member extending from a loweredge to an upper edge, wherein the vertical member comprises a firstsection and a second section, wherein the first and second sectionscomprise a post contacting surface extending from a first side edge ofthe first section to a second side edge of the second section defining aportion of the opening, wherein the first section is perpendicular tothe second section thereby forming a corner corresponding to a corner ofthe post; and a flanged member comprises a ground contacting surface andextends from the lower edge of the vertical member to a distal edgebetween a first edge of the flanged member corresponding to the firstside edge of the first section and a second edge of the flanged membercorresponding to the second side edge of the second section, whereineach post guard portion further comprises a first vertical interfaceregion of the first section proximate the first side edge thereof and asecond vertical interface region of the second section proximate thesecond side edge thereof, wherein each post guard portion furthercomprises a first flange interface region of the flanged memberproximate the first edge thereof and a second flange interface region ofthe flanged member proximate the second edge thereof, wherein the firstinterface regions of each post guard portion of the four post guardportions interface with the second interface regions of a different postguard portion of the four post guard portions when the four post guardportions are positioned together, wherein the four post guard portionsare positionable together in a configuration between a closedconfiguration and an expanded configuration, wherein the four post guardportions are positioned together such that the first interface regionsare completely interfaced with the second interface regions when in thefirst closed configuration, wherein the four post guard portions arepositioned together such that the first interface regions are locatedfurther away from the second interface regions when in the secondexpanded configuration than when in the first closed configuration, andwherein the first interface regions at least partially contact thesecond interface regions when in the expanded configuration.
 2. The postguard of claim 1, wherein the vertical member is perpendicular to theflanged member.
 3. The post guard of claim 1, wherein the verticalmember forms an obtuse angle with the flanged member.
 4. The post guardof claim 1, wherein each flanged member of the four post guard portionsdefines a length from the distal edge to the lower edge of the verticalmember, wherein each vertical member of the four post guard portionsdefines a length from the lower edge to the upper edge, and wherein thelength of each flanged member and the length of each vertical member aresubstantially the same.
 5. The post guard of claim 1, wherein eachflanged member of the four post guard portions defines a length from thedistal edge to the lower edge of the vertical member, wherein eachvertical member of the four post guard portions defines a length fromthe lower edge to the upper edge, and wherein the length of eachvertical member is shorter than the length of each flanged member. 6.The post guard of claim 1, wherein each vertical member of the four postguard portions defines an aperture for a fastener to extendtherethrough.
 7. The post guard of claim 1, wherein the interfaceregions comprise half-lap joints.
 8. The post guard of claim 1, whereineach post guard portion comprises a polymer.
 9. A ground-coveringapparatus portion for use with one or more additional ground-coveringapparatus portions in covering a ground surface around fixtures ofvarying sizes, wherein the ground-covering apparatus portion comprises:a vertical member extending from a lower edge to an upper edge, whereinthe vertical member comprises a first section and a second section,wherein the first and second sections comprise a fixture-contactingsurface extending from a first side edge of the first section to asecond side edge of the second section, wherein the first section isperpendicular to the second section thereby forming a cornercorresponding to a corner of a fixture, and wherein the vertical memberfurther comprises a first vertical interface region of the first sectionproximate the first side edge thereof and a second vertical interfaceregion of the second section proximate the second side edge thereof; anda flanged member comprising a ground contacting surface, a distal edge,a first edge corresponding to the first side edge of the first section,and a second edge corresponding to the second side edge of the secondsection, and wherein the flanged member further comprises a first flangeinterface region proximate the first edge thereof and a second flangeinterface region proximate the second edge thereof, wherein the firstinterface regions of the ground-covering apparatus portion areinterfaceable with the second interface regions of one of the one ormore additional ground-covering apparatus portions and the secondinterface regions of the ground-covering apparatus portion areinterfaceable with the first interface regions of one of the one or moreadditional ground-covering apparatus portions.
 10. The ground-coveringapparatus portion of claim 9, wherein the vertical member isperpendicular to the flanged member.
 11. The ground-covering apparatusportion of claim 9, wherein the first section of the vertical memberdefines a length from the first side edge to the second section of thevertical member, wherein the second section of the vertical memberdefines a length from the second side edge to the first section of thevertical member, and wherein the length of the first section is longerthan the length of the second section.
 12. The ground-covering apparatusportion of claim 9, wherein the flanged member defines a length from thedistal edge to the lower edge of the vertical member, wherein thevertical member defines a length from the lower edge to the upper edge,and wherein the length of the flanged member and the length of thevertical member are substantially the same.
 13. The ground-coveringapparatus portion of claim 9, wherein the flanged member defines alength from the distal edge to the lower edge of the vertical member,wherein the vertical member defines a length from the lower edge to theupper edge, and wherein the length of the vertical member is shorterthan the length of the flanged member.
 14. The ground-covering apparatusportion of claim 9, wherein the ground-covering apparatus portion isconfigured to be used with one or more additional ground-coveringapparatus portions in covering a ground surface around a gravestone. 15.The ground-covering apparatus portion of claim 9, wherein the interfaceregions comprise half-lap joints.
 16. The ground-covering apparatusportion of claim 9, wherein the ground-covering apparatus portioncomprises a polymer.
 17. A U-channel post guard for use in covering aground surface around a U-channel post, wherein the U-channel postcomprises a channel side and non-channel side opposite the channel sideand defines a channel on the channel side extending along a length ofthe U-channel post, wherein the U-channel post guard comprises: a firstportion configured to contact the channel side of the U-channel post;and a second portion configured to contact the non-channel side of theU-channel post, wherein the first and second portions are configured tobe positioned together to define an opening for the U-channel post toextend therethrough, and further wherein each of the first and thesecond portions comprises: a vertical member extending from a lower edgeto an upper edge and comprising a post contacting surface extending froma first side edge to a second side edge defining a portion of theopening, and a flanged member coupled to the lower edge of the verticalmember, wherein the flanged member comprises a ground contactingsurface, a distal edge, a first flange interface region corresponding tothe first side edge of the vertical member, and a second flangeinterface region corresponding to the second side edge of the verticalmember, wherein the first interface region of the first portioninterfaces with the second interface region of the second portion andthe second interface region of the first portion interfaces with thefirst interface region of the second portion when the first and secondportions are positioned together, and further wherein the first and thesecond portions are positionable together such that the vertical memberof the first portion is located within the longitudinal channel of theU-channel post.
 18. The U-channel post guard of claim 17, wherein eachvertical member of the first and second portions defines an aperture fora fastener to extend therethrough.
 19. The U-channel post guard of claim18, where the aperture comprises a slot.
 20. The U-channel post guard ofclaim 17, wherein the interface regions comprise half-lap joints.